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With the onset of the pandemic this time last year, Descanso Gardens was obliged to cancel all of its springtime events, including the hugely popular seedling sale, Tomatomania! The good news is that Tomatomania! returns this year, from April 9-11, 2021, in a new, socially-distanced format in Descanso’s Rose Garden. Timed free tickets will be required and hours will be expanded to accommodate visitors.
This year, more than ever, Tomatomania! is a rite of spring, inviting home gardeners to celebrate this season of renewal. The event will feature more than 200 tomato varieties and 50 pepper varieties. Some of the highlights include 10-15 selection of heirlooms from the Dwarf Series, diminutive tomatoes designed specifically to grow in small spaces like balcony containers. One of the stand-outs is the “Saucy Mary,” a tiny “micro dwarf” plant that can be grown in a pot with other plants and still produce a lot of fruit. And each season, owner Scott Daigre chooses his “Tomato of the Year,” which, for 2021, is the “Lava Flow,” a stripey Hawaiian hybrid that looks beautiful and tastes lush and flavorful.
“We are very excited to have Tomatomania! return to Descanso Gardens,” said Juliann Rooke, Executive Director, Descanso Gardens, “albeit in a slightly different format. We are closing off our Rose Garden for the event and spreading the plants out so people will be socially distanced. Tickets will be timed and the entrance will be from our auxiliary parking lot. We are thrilled that people will be able to enjoy one of their favorite events of the year, but we want them to do so safely.”
Tomato products for sale. Credit: Martha Benedict
Due to ongoing Coronavirus restrictions, there will be no live classes or presentations this time around but look for some exciting tomato-related digital content. “We are hoping to present some interesting and entertaining online videos focused on everything tomato in conjunction with the event,” said Daigre. More information will be available closer to the date.
Admission to Tomatomania! is free, but timed tickets are required for everyone. They will be released to members on March 15 and to the public on March 29 at descansogardens.org. Tomatomania! hours are 9am-7pm, April 9-11.
To visit Descanso Gardens, non-members must reserve tickets in advance at descansogardens.org. All April tickets will be released March 29. Descanso Gardens’ spring hours (starting March 15 for members, March 22 for the general public) are Monday-Friday, 9am to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9am-5pm.
About Tomatomania!
Tomatomania is a huge community of enthusiastic fellow tomato lovers as well as the world’s largest tomato seedling sale. Leading the team is Scott Daigre, owner and head Tomatomaniac. He is author of the best-selling book “Tomatomania: A Fresh Approach to Celebrating Tomatoes in the Garden.” His company, Powerplant Garden Design based in Ojai, focuses on installation of home and professional gardens with a concentration on food-based gardens.
About Descanso Gardens
Founded as a public garden in 1953, Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. Descanso Gardens is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spring hours (which begin March 15 for members, March 22 for the general public) will be 9am-7pm, Monday-Friday and 9am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $15 for adults; $11 for seniors and students with a school I.D.; $5 for children 5 to 12, and free for children under 5.
Descanso Gardens is a member-supported garden accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Join Descanso Gardens and enjoy free admission and early entry year-round. Information: (818) 949-4200 or descansogardens.org.
